Call to scrap cucumber wrap

SUPERMARKETS are being urged to unwrap their cucumbers to help the environment. Euro MP Chris Davies wants the plastic packaging to be stripped from cucumbers, apples and turnips and has launched a `scrap the wrap' campaign.

SUPERMARKETS are being urged to unwrap their cucumbers to help the environment.

Euro MP Chris Davies wants the plastic packaging to be stripped from cucumbers, apples and turnips and has launched a `scrap the wrap' campaign.

Starting next month, the Manchester-based Co-op, which sells around 10m cucumbers a year, will strip shrink wraps from cucumbers and pack them instead in cardboard boxes with a breathable liner.

And Mr Davies is urging other supermarket bosses to follow suit.

The MEP said many people blame Brussels for insisting that cucumbers are sold in their plastic sleeves and he points out that it does not happen to the same extent in other European countries.

He said: "The fault lies entirely with British supermarkets which are obsessed with producing excessive packaging. Cucumbers were provided by nature with a tough green skin to keep them fresh and protect them from damage. They do not need any help."

The former Oldham MP said that Marks & Spencer and Tesco had previously announced positive environmental initiatives. But Liberal Democrat Mr Davies appealed to them to reduce the estimated 4.6m tons of packaging waste which add to grocery bills and choke rubbish tips across the country.